More than 3,200 Hispanic youth, lay leaders and youth pastors from approximately 90 Spanish churches across Southern California streamed into the Crystal Cathedral Aug. 16 to celebrate God’s work among them. The day of worship, music, praise, drama and testimonies revealed the impact being made on youth through LET—the Latino Evangelism Team.

One of LET’s main goals is to connect second-generation Hispanic Adventists and their friends (ages 15-25) to the Church.

“A young person who has grown up in the U.S. has different needs and a different world view than those who have just emigrated,” said Yami Bazan, associate youth director at the Southeastern California Conference.

In its second year, LET is the brainchild of Bazan; Sam Acosta, coordinator of ministry outreach at La Sierra University; and youth pastors throughout the Southeastern (SECC) and Southern (SCC) California Conferences. LET also works closely with Mario Perez, vice president for Hispanic ministries in SECC and Juan Ozorio, a regional director in SCC.

In his recent book, Why Our Teenagers Leave the Church, Roger Dudley shares research from his 10-year study. He reports that 40 to 50 percent of Adventist young people slip out the Church’s back door. Many never return.

The drop-out rate may be higher for Hispanic Adventists for two reasons. Second-generation youth generally speak English while the churches their parents attend often conduct services in Spanish. Also, compared with non-Hispanic whites, fewer Hispanics currently have the resources to educate their children in Adventist schools.

“It’s a new idea for some that keeping kids in the Church is evangelism,” Bazan pointed out. To that end, LET has regularly conducted practical seminars and retreats for lay youth leaders. The next ministry training camp will be held Dec. 5-7 at Cedar Falls.

“If you don’t have youth leaders in local churches, you can’t expect youth to stay. You certainly can’t attract new youth,” Acosta stated. He recruits more than 100 La Sierra University students to participate in a Hispanic Ministries outreach. On many Sabbaths, several teams of eight to 10 students fan out across Southern California to interact with youth at Spanish-speaking churches.

“At times, the teams meet the youth in a gym, classroom, or even in a parking lot,” Acosta said. “And sometimes they are invited to lead the 11 o’clock worship hour in the sanctuary. Through music, drama and witnessing, the teams mentor youth and their leaders.”

The visits also open dialog among pastors, parents and adult members about the needs of the second-generation Hispanic youth. “Many youth want to stay in the church,” Bazan said. “But they need a welcoming place. They need to meet God in ways that are meaningful to them.”

LET has proposed a three-phase approach: Rejoice, Reclaim, Reach Out. Young people will rejoice in the Lord when they have a place of their own and activities that address their spiritual needs. “It takes time to build this foundation, but there’s progress,” Bazan said. In the months ahead, she, Acosta and their associates believe more young people will be excited about inviting friends back to church who have drifted away. They are the very ones who can then reach out to secular friends and introduce them to God.